The prosecutor who struck a bargain to spare serial killer Gary Ridgway's life passionately defended his decision Friday as a state House committee considered bills that would rein in prosecutors' power to make such deals.

Green River Killer Gary Leon Ridgway has been moved to the Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla, bypassing the normal intake process that would have required him to be taken to the state corrections center in Shelton first.